Energy Saving Resources to Beat the Heat This Summer - June 2024 CCL CEO Article
By Ruth Marks, MVEA CEO
June is a beautiful time in Colorado as the ever-changing weather of May gives way to the sunny days we expect of the early summer months. It’s also a good time to share some energy-saving resources to help prepare for the heat of July and August. As temperatures climb in the summer, so does our reliance on energy to keep cool indoors.
As a not-for-profit electric co-op, we want to help Mountain View Electric Association members get ahead of the summer heat to keep their homes cool while preventing a surprising bill this summer. In addition to helping co-op members save energy, if we can work together to shift enough heavy energy use away from the peak demand times of 5-9 p.m., we can reduce the summer peak power supply costs that affect every MVEA member.
Two decades ago, central air conditioning was rare in MVEA’s service area. Today, it’s a standard feature, significantly impacting energy use and MVEA’s summer peak energy demand. The temperature outside has a big impact on the amount of energy that is used to control the temperature inside. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling systems account for nearly one-third of household electricity use.
Besides air conditioning, there are a lot of small things that can add up to big changes in the amount of energy used in a household: electronics, working remote, and dining in. No matter the reason, the summer months bring an increase in member calls asking for guidance on how they can manage their energy use. Let’s take a look at some resources to help save energy and money — not only during the dog days of summer, but throughout the year.
- MVEA’s Time-of-Day Rate: Can you shift your electric use away from MVEA’s peak demand time of 5-9 p.m.? MVEA’s Time-of-Day Rate offers a cost-saving solution to members who can shift their electric use to off-peak hours of the day. Learn more about this cost-saving rate at mvea.coop/rates.
- SmartHub Account Management: Your digital meter, paired with online account management through SmartHub®, is a powerful tool to help you take control of your electric use. With daily and hourly energy reads available, your digital meter and SmartHub account will help pinpoint high energy use spikes so you can avoid them in the future. Visit www.mvea.coop/payment-options to learn more about SmartHub.
- Rebates: Energy efficiency rebates help offset the cost of upgrading your home lighting, heating, cooling, and more. This program, made possible through a partnership with our power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, offers rebates to fit the needs of nearly every member who wants to save money and energy. Learn more at mvea.coop/rebates.
- State & Federal Funding for Energy Efficiency Resources: Have you looked at the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) resources that may be available for you to use for energy efficiency upgrades, both big and small? The IRA’s home energy offerings include up-front discounts and tax credits. Learn more at www.mvea.coop/ira.
- MVEA’s Website: Explore MVEA’s “Save Energy & Money” website section. Many members find the home energy calculator to be helpful in identifying high energy use sources in their home. Get started at mvea.coop/save-energy-money.
While there are a lot of great resources that are available to help co-op members save energy and money, if you have questions about your energy use, the best resource we have is MVEA’s team of knowledgeable Member Services Representatives. As your electric cooperative, if you have energy use questions we are here to help.